3e BPVN gear: 1954

[cookie]

3eme Bataillon Parachutiste Vietnamiens: NCO
Ban Hine Siu, Laos, January 1954



French 47/52 'Lizard' camouflage jacket and trousers
USM1 helmet with theatre made chincup, and 1944 net and neoprene band
French Mle 49 'Chapeau de brousse' bush hat
French 'Pataugas' jungle boots
French Mle 50/53 TAP RAPCO belt
French Mle 50/53 TAP equipment suspenders
French Mle 51 TAP water bottle and cover
French Mle 50 TAP MAT-49 ammo bag
US M3 fighting knife in M8 plastic scabbard
9mm parabellum bullets
MAT-49 submachine gun

[marsouin]

Nice set Cookie!!!!
The Rapco belt is not that representative (although there were a few already in use in 1953/54).Tap m50 & US M-36 will do fine....

[cookie]

Yes, it may not have been a majority issue item at that point, but issued it was...



Along with US M44/45 equipment suspenders. These seem to be unique to the 3e BPVN (pre 1955).

[marsouin]

I have a pic of a BEPman wearing the Rapco version at DBP....I'll post it later on...

[cookie]

Crossing a stream wearing a Lizard camo suit, Bush hat and ankle boots with gaiters?
There's also a photo of newly arrived Legion Paras in June 54, parading through Hanoi. Some are wearing RAPCO and some Mle 50 belts.

[marsouin]

Indeed,crossing a stream...